Kolkata, 11 June (H.S.) : A councillor of the Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality was arrested on charges of extortion, while a separate investigation led to the recovery of a large quantity of government and relief materials from a municipal ward and a Trinamool Congress party office, intensifying political controversy in the area.

Police arrested Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality Ward No. 4 councillor Bibhas Mukhopadhyay, popularly known as Monu, from a hotel near the Ruby area along the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass in Garia on Wednesday night.

A close associate of the councillor, identified as Papai, was also arrested during the operation. Investigators suspect that funds were allegedly collected from various sources through Papai. Police are currently interrogating both accused and attempting to gather further information regarding the alleged extortion network.

With the latest arrests, three councillors of the Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality have been taken into custody since the change of government in West Bengal.

In a parallel development, police and municipal officials recovered a substantial quantity of government and relief materials from a public toilet project under construction in Ward No. 23 and from a local Trinamool Congress party office. The seized items reportedly included street lights, tarpaulins, cement bags, buckets and bleaching powder.

Authorities are investigating allegations that the materials, which were intended for public welfare and emergency relief purposes, had been stored instead of being distributed among residents when required.

Ward No. 23 is represented by councillor Chandra Ghosal. Previously, the ward was represented by her husband, Soumen Mohan Ghosal.

Local BJP leader Debaprasad Chakraborty alleged that government materials had been illegally stockpiled and were not distributed despite public need. Some residents also claimed that extortion activities had been taking place in the ward for a prolonged period.

Another BJP worker, Nitai Majumdar, alleged that contractors associated with government development projects were forced to pay commissions and that work was allegedly obstructed if such payments were not made.

When contacted regarding the allegations, councillor Chandra Ghosal declined to comment.

Police have seized the recovered materials and launched a detailed investigation into the allegations. Authorities are examining both the extortion charges and the alleged misuse and storage of government resources as part of the ongoing probe.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh